Bikepacking Gear

Released today, the new JPaks DropperPak is a mid-sized dropper post seat bag that’s lightweight, stable, and works in conjunction with the Wolf Tooth Valais. We’ve been testing one for a couple of months for this exclusive first review to coincide with today’s release…

In this video we take a look at two of the most stable and advanced bikepacking seat packs on the market: the Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion and the Revelate Designs Spinelock. Find a detailed review of both, how to properly install each one, and a comparison between the two.

The Bedrock Bags Vishnu received a complete redesign this year, maintaining the original concept of a small handlebar bag but adding the option to be used as a cargo cage bag as well. Over the last few months, Miles has been experimenting with this multi-use bag to see what works best and where it fits in for bikepacking. Find the full review, photos, and specs here…

Quietly released earlier this year, the Marmot Superalloy is an ultralight, two-person, semi-freestanding tent that weighs just over two pounds and doesn’t skimp on features or interior living space. We got our hands on one to test during several recent route scouting missions. Find photos, specs, and Miles’ first impressions here…

UK-based Drj0n Bagworks has been tinkering away over the last few years, silently releasing some intriguing minimalist 3D-printed mounting solutions designed with bikepackers in mind. We got our hands on the complete Drj0n G-Funk Handlebar Strap Deck System and got out on a few overnighters to see how it fared. Find photos, details, and Miles’ thoughts on this minimalist handlebar setup here…

Considering a tubeless tire setup for a long international trip? Or just hoping to have flatless bikepacking outings in your own backyard? Here’s our complete field guide to tubeless with a full tubeless tire repair kit, how-to videos for repair and setup, plugger options, and tips from the road…

Built around Curve’s unique and rugged carbon rims, the Dirt Hoops wheelset comes in two versatile rim widths, in both 27.5 and 29” diameters, and is configurable in almost any hub axle standard. We’ve put over 1,500 hard miles on this pair for this in-depth review…

As a follow-up to his tutorial on making a simple rectangular stuff sack, Dave Helbig returns with this step-by-step guide to making your own cylindrical stuff sack—a shape that’s perfectly suited to cinching into a cargo cage, a handlebar harness, or underneath your saddle. Find detailed instructions here…

Clearly of more interest to competitive, long-distance racers rather than budget bikepackers, Roval has just launched a $2650, featherweight cross country wheelset that’s claimed to be their lightest ever: the Control SL Team LTD. Not that its minimal weight – just 1248g – comes at the expense of strength, width, or pinch-flat resistance, as Cass Gilbert finds out on the dusty trails of Baja California.

The Wizard Works Shazam! Saddle Bag is a modern take on a classic design, with a massive carrying capacity, roll top closure, and rugged construction. After several months of use, Miles shares his impressions, including the positives and negatives of relying on such an enormous bag for bikepacking as a saddle bag and handlebar bag—plus a closer look at the Carradice Bagman Support.

Announced earlier this month, the new Shimano Deore 12-speed group brings the massive 510% 1x gear range of XTR/XT/SLX to a more affordable package. We had a chance to weigh the complete Deore group and install it on a new Surly Karate Monkey to see how it all works together. Here are our impressions, actual weights, and the full build kit.

In this Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) tutorial, Josh Rizzo guides us through the process of sewing a trail wallet, the perfect everyday accessory for carrying keys, small tools, cash, and snacks. Find step-by-step instructions with photos here…